Visions For Rebuilding Sudan - Inclusivity, Resilience, Participatory Placemaking

Sudan is one of the important countries in Africa and in MENA characterized by its centrality, large size, diverse population, and wealth of resources. Since April 203, Sudan has been experiencing a vicious civil war and turbulent events that threaten its very existence. Recent estimates of casualties amount to tens of thousands and those internally displaced to about eight million people and those who took refuge in neighboring countries to some two million people. Towns, villages, and individual homes have been hard hit by artillery, air-borne bombs, and by massive looting and destruction. Infrastructure networks such as water stations, electricity generation and distribution networks, bridges and means of transportation have all been adversely affected. Schools and universities have been shut down for more than a year now, and health care institutions and providers have been unable to deliver their life-saving services.
The planned event seeks to address the root causes of socio-economic inequalities that led to the unfolding calamities, and to propose a set of strategies and socio-economic policies to rebuild a new Sudan founded on lasting and sustainable peace, equal opportunities, inclusion of all its people irrespective of their regional and ethnic backgrounds, gender, or race.
The proposed physical approaches to solutions range from rebuilding the national capital first then spreading the benefits of its stability and flourishing to other states and rural areas in a trickle-down effect. This approach is posited against an equitable, all-inclusive development starting from below – i.e., from the smallest human settlements upwards. They also include a rethinking of the land allocation policies to ensure equal access by women and minorities.
Such rebuilding efforts could capitalize on a strong community participation which is a time-honored tradition that permeates various facets of daily life in Sudan. Through participation, community members come together as builders, architects, planners and decision-makers and contribute to the development of homes and services within their communities resulting in better places. This collaborative approach to placemaking acts as a crucial aspect of development and governance in Sudan, empowering communities to influence decisions that impact their lives and ensuring that development initiatives are attuned to their needs.

The event will present some good examples of participatory work, both before the war such as in making Tuti Island, which is the cradle of urbanization of Khartoum, a resilient place against floods, and during the current war using communal kitchens (Takaya). The event will identify who the principal actors are; how successful community participation acts operate; and how they can be utilized by communities to make good livable places, and by displaced people to rebuild their lives back home again.